Arkhbum Tissue Group, Russia, managed by Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill (APPM), is going forward with plans to install a new tissue mill in Vorsino, in the Kaluga region, some 90 km southwest of Moscow. According to a report by RISI, Brussels, Belgium, Arkhbum has selected suppliers from key equipment and machinery, including Andritz, Graz, Austria, which will provide the 200 metric tpd tissue machine that will use 100% virgin pulp, and also will supply cogeneration equipment. The cost of this project is EUR 110 million ($118 million).

Arkhbum plans to begin construction work at the end of this July, and to start up the 2.8-meter-wide tissue machine in the first quarter of 2017, along with several converting lines for the production of toilet paper, kitchen towels, tissues, and napkins. In 2019-2021, Arkhbum intends to further increase the plant’s converting capacity by installing additional lines.

The mill will make tissue products for the consumer (ar-home) as well as the hotel and foodservice (horeca) away-from-home market segments.

Arkhbum cancelled its initial plan to build a 100 metric tpd tissue machine to come online this year. APPM reportedly attributed the decision to the rising cost of bank loans and high competition on the Russian tissue market.

APPM is part of Austria’s Pulp Mill Holding (PMH), which also operates the Kiev paper and cardboard mill in Ukraine that produces tissue, cartonboard, and containerboard.